Parry Sorenson, who died Dec. 9 at the age of 92, was an instrumental part of the U’s communication department. During his 46 years at the U, he taught journalism, started internship programs, developed a lecture series and founded a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Sorenson passed away in his Salt Lake home early Tuesday morning. Robert Avery, a communication professor, visited his friend and colleague Monday night to find him sleeping and slipping in and out of consciousness. It all happened very quickly, Avery said of the man he described as a friend to everyone in any station in life.
Even after he retired in 1992, Sorenson continued to visit the U and inspired students to get internships and gain the experience they needed to succeed in journalism and public relations. Unfortunately, the former professor’s strong presence will no longer grace a campus he left years ago.
“Parry was such an advocate for students and cared genuinely about their careers and helping them get their start,” Avery said.
Brendan Shumway, vice president of the U’s PRSSA chapter, said he always remembered seeing Sorenson at its functions. He was talking to students, always asking them if they were thinking about internships or advising them on what they could do with their talents and futures.
Before he returned to pass on life lessons at the U, where he earned his undergraduate degree, Sorenson was a journalist for the Los Angeles Examiner, The Washington Post and The Daily Utah Chronicle.
Sorenson even had a stint with the FBI, Avery said. Practical experience was always very important to him, Avery said. Sorenson walked his talk.
“He was a genuine person. What you see is what you got,” he said.
Parry Sorenson